Swan Update - July 4, 2009
Sometime last week I noticed that the original seven cygnets were down to five, but they were elusive enough that I got no picture.
Today I did manage to catch the family, with now three remaining cygnets.
This is sad, but not so out of line with historical survival rates of the cygnets. Last year also featured three from an original seven.
Labels: Ashbridge's Bay, swans
Sleeping Beauties
My morning walk occurred early enough today to find both swans asleep in or by the nest; fortunately, a Canada goose was willing to stand guard (click to enlarge).
Labels: Ashbridge's Bay, swans
Swan Update
Best proof that we still have five swans at Ashbridge's Bay. (Shot week of Oct. 13, 2008)
They are so cute when feeding!
Labels: Ashbridge's Bay, swans
Big White Birds
I spend many mornings looking for
big white birds down on morning walks. Yesterday I did see those big white birds, and there are still three cygnets.
But I had a real shock when there loomed in front of me a Great Egret - I have never seen one of those around here, so it was a pleasant surprise. The morning hunting seemed to be bearing fruit - well, maybe fish and frogs.
Labels: Ashbridge's Bay, Great Egret, swans
And Then There Were Three?
My sleuthing abilities have not produced
the swans for quite some time, but today, as a last-minute gesture, I hobbled out onto a boat launch area, and found them rather far away. Sadly I had taken the camera with slightly shorter reach but the picture below shows there are still at least three cygnets! (Two white, one grey.)
Even at three out of seven this is way better than their performances over the last couple of years.
Labels: Ashbridge's Bay, swans
A Magnificent Seven
Almost a week since leaving the nest and there are still seven! Much better job so far than last year (0 for 0) and the year before (1 out of 4).
Labels: Ashbridge's Bay, swans
The Cygnets Have Landed
A long overdue update from Ashbridge's Bay.
Last Friday the normal nesting swan scene was replaced by this:
The male was up there on the nest with his mate (for weeks I had not seen this), and the two of them were up to something. I became hopeful!
Saturday the nest was empty. I saw no swans. Monday a couple told me there were cygnets, "a half-dozen", that they had just seen on their walk, but I saw no swans. I saw no swans on Tuesday.
This morning they were back on the nest. Hmm.
At the end of my walk I went back and finally found them paddling around the bay.
Apologies for the lack of sharpness but they would not come close and I was without tripod! I think I see seven little heads following Mom. History suggests the number won't stay seven for long.
I have a few more days to try to get some better shots of them.
Labels: Ashbridge's Bay, swans
